Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Lalitgiri Buddhist complex has various structures of religious and architectural importance that have been excavated by the A.S.I. One such interesting discovery of Buddhist architecture is Apsidal Chaityagriha.

The brick chaitya griha is apsidal on plan having a structural stupa at the rear end. It has as usual component such as apse, axial and nave. The stupa at the rear end provided with a area around it to go around. The chaitya graham also provided with a stone pavement around it of letter construction as evidence from the excavation.

This unique structure was believed to be the biggest prayer hall is built sometime between 8th and 12th century A.D.

The Pavagadh Hill rises to 830 m and descends in five successive plateaus which are separated by steep cliffs namely Kalikamata, Mauliya, Bhadrakali, Machi and Atak. The higher plateaus on the west and south makes it safe and inaccessible from invasion.

One can choose to reach the top of the hill either taking the steps to the the top or rope-way. If one takes the steps and walk all the way up to the top of the hill from Machi and it takes approximately 3 hours. We choose to use the rope-way to reach top of the hill from the base station at Machi. It took just 6 minutes to reach the top.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Mysore Zoo is the most popular zoo at Mysore in India. There are various wild animals and birds at the zoo. One among them is Tufted Capuchin and and it is native of South America.

It is recognized by its characteristic head coloration, a black or dark brown cap with dark sideburns. The tail is prehensile and helps to control risky movements, assist in changes in direction and to stabilize the Capuchin while feeding in its characteristic seated posture.

They are social animals forming groups of 8 to 15 animals. It has a lifespan of 35 to 40 years.

Fruits are a large part of their diet. Vegetation, seeds, eggs, insects, reptiles, birds and small mammals are also consumed frequently. Wild tufted Capuchin are capable of using tools to open up otherwise inaccessible fruits, the husks of which it cannot open in its teeth or jaws.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

This temple is a important landmark in the city of Bhavnagar. It is located at the center of the city on a hillock and and named after its patron Maharaja Takhtsinhji. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is built sometime in 1863.

The temple has a courtyard in the front and it can be reached by climbing a flight of steps made up of marble.The entire temple is made of white marble.

Even the pillars and tower of the temple is constructed using marble. There are about 18 pillar that supporting the roof.

As it is a Shiva temple, a Nandi bull is also present in the temple courtyard.

Friday, April 17, 2015

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Lalitgiri Buddhist complex has various structures of religious and architectural importance that have been excavated by the A.S.I. One such luminous piece of Buddhist architecture is Mahastupa.

This giant circular stupa of Mahavira built between 1st to 12th century A.D is at the top of the Pushpagiri hill. Inside the brick stupa two relic caskets kept in a container made of Khandolite stone were found. The discovery of relic caskets was the first of its kind in the eastern India.

Monday, April 6, 2015

The Hall of Thousand Pillars at Meenakshi Temple of Madurai is on the north side Sundareswarar flag staff hall. This beautiful hall is a sculptural marvel.

The hall was built by Ariyanatha Mudaliar in 1569 is an architectural and engineering marvel. It contains 985 carved pillars and each one outdoes the other. There are also few Musical Pillars in this hall and each pillar produces a unique musical note.

Each pillar in the hall is a carved monument of the Dravidian sculpture. The more prominent among the carved figures are those of Rati, Karthikeya, Yali, Shiva.

This hall also serves as a Temple Art Museum and there are icons, photographs, drawings. I liked the huge sculpture of Ganesha on the pillar very much.

About Me

Love traveling across India and capturing what I see in images. There is so much to discover and one life is not enough. I just love the experience. This is my small attempt to share my experiences with the world.
Contact: rajeshprabh@gmail.com